Looks all right, he said, and grabbed the
loaf.
No, I shouldnt have said you were bloody drunk. The
question itself seemed to divide them sharply from each other. The three of us shall
be together, andthen. Apparently they dont know what theyregoing to do with us when
we go into the line.
It was as though she had not known him before, but
now sheremembered.
I should say, Martlow, that your father had been
crossed inlove, he said gently.
I didnt have any intention of making youwild. You
give it to her, said Bourne; give her twenty, andgive the girl ten.
Colonel Bardon passed, like some impersonal force,
and thetension relaxed. Which is the way to Reclinghem, sergeant-major? Im just
untinup a few o me bosom friends, you know.
Like a foolI gave him one of these, and he has
forgotten his cigarette caseall day today.
He went back to his billet for his pack, and then
with Shem andMartlow set off on their new career. Did you hear what he said about
theregimental? Im sorry to go, for manyreasons, but I dont feel the same way about
it now.
You couldnt have been very drunk if you can
remember all that,said Shem.
Please yourself, said Bourne reflectively; but I
would just assoon go out with the company. He talkedto Bourne alone, sending the
other two to get their equipment. Why the ell cant they do thething quick, instead
of puttin it all on us?
Up the ill past the church, an then turn downill to
yourright.
Charlie,shed say to me; you do whats right, an dont
let no man getmaster on you. Oui, madame, said Bourne tranquilly; Vest
fini.
E was quite wild about it; said the bloody
corporalsdid emselves bettern the officers mess. I am willing to bet nobodyin A
Company knows anything about our going to them.
He shifted,shifting his chair away, too, and then
put up a hand to his brow. They heard him, heavy on the stairs, going down, and Shem
lookedup at Bourne with a curious grin. Hes a sensible chap,but perhaps the bread
was his wifes idea.
I wantsome gaspers; theyre good enough for the
troops. An then she gets up, an goes roun to imwi er ands on er ips. She put her
basket on the dresser, and turnedto them.
Beats me ow folk think o some o these
things.
What do they want to send us out bread for?
Shempoured some more whisky into Bournes cooker, the lid of whichfitted quite
tight.
Just muck about a bit in the street to keep the
mentogether.